London’s coffee craze began in a muddy churchyard in the heart of the City where, from 1652, an eccentric Greek with a twirly moustache, colourful turban, and preposterous English accent first sold a foul-looking liquid to the public. Charismatic young London historian Dr Matthew Green will meet you there to tell the story of how “bitter Mohammedan gruel” transformed the face of the city, brought people together, and inspired brilliant ideas that made the modern, enlightened world.

Witness the rise and fall of London’s first coffeehouse proprietor, Pasqua Rosée, the man who triggered a momentous coffeehouse boom as the new drink triumphed over kings, fires, and women fulminating against that “newfangled abominable heathenish liquor called COFFEE” that had reduced their men to effeminate gossipers. Wander past the sites of Europe’s oldest coffeehouses in the labyrinthine alleys and secret courtyards of the City, including Lloyd’s, Garraway’s and Jonathan’s, the triumvirate of coffeehouses that powered the British Empire.

Immerse yourself in all that went on inside, from Sir Isaac Newton’s dolphin dissections at the Grecian Coffeehouse to inquisitions of insanity at the Hoxton Square, Samuel Pepys’s metaphysical debates at Bowman’s to corrupt wheeler-dealing in stocks and shares at Jonathan’s; auctions by candle at Garraway’s to the issuing of brutal literary judgements at Button’s. Meet Charles II and furious tavern-keepers hidden along the route.

Feel a pang of nostalgia for at an age that cherished the face-to-face exchange of ideas where you could begin a conversation with anyone in the world by demanding “What News Have You?” in an increasingly virtual world as our high streets are invaded by bland Starbucks clones.

With dramatic performances, expert commentary, and a cornucopia of historical anecdotes – all set to beautiful violin music in the most historic part of the city – this is a hugely original, entertaining, and informative alternative to more traditional guided walks. The tour lasts around 1hr 45 mins

Your Guide

Dr Matthew Green

In 2009, Dr Matthew Green completed a PhD in the history of the mass media at Oxford University. Unmoved by the prospect of a cloistered academic life he turned to popular history and now writes for the Guardian and Telegraph, appears on BBC TV and radio, teaches a wide range of historical subjects, and gives sell-out talks at the Idler Academy, 5x15, Port Eliot and elsewhere. He is currently writing a book on 17th and 18th-century coffeehouses.

Mailing List

Join the UCA Mailing List and receive our newsletter. Be the first to hear about new tours, events and talks!

As Seen On

Testimonials

Trevor BakerGuardian Journalist

An unexpectedly fascinating tour, which takes you back in time through the medium of strong, invigorating black coffee. This would be fascinating stuff even if it were just a straightforward lecture, but at various points along the tour, actors jump out of the shadows and bring the story to life.

April 2014

Lynne TapperScriptwriter

I just wanted to say a big thank you to Matt and his team for leading such an interesting tour today. The information I received will greatly enhance my script! Matt you are an awesome tour guide!

February 2014

Rachel CrossleyRoyal Historical Palaces

Thanks so much for the tour you provided for the team from Historic Royal Palaces. It was fantastic – Matthew has a great breadth of knowledge and is able to put it across in a fun and accessible way. It was nicely paced and offered amazing, unique insights into streets that we thought we knew. We especially liked the free ‘gruel’ and special team bonding quiz at the end. Highly recommended!

November 2013

Keiran GoddardPoet

Excellent day with @UnrealCityAudio on this weekend's coffee tour... Hyperliterate jaunt through the history of "soot coloured ninny-broth". See original tweet here.

We were enthralled from start to finish with our customized tour. Matt’s passion and enthusiasm brought his deep knowledge of the period to vivid life. We drank of the abominable, heathenish liquor called coffee as we drank in the sites and atmosphere of old London. Wandering the small dark alleys, delighted by the most fantastic sites they opened into, left us much to reflect on about the nature and means of innovation. Inspiring!

June 2013

Rhys AboTwitter

If you live in London and love coffee, I can't recommend this enough. Click here to read the tweet.

August 2013

Professor Steven NewmanTemple University, USA

I am so glad that I took a group of students on the Coffeehouse Walk led by Dr. Green as part of a course on mapping London textually. I had introduced them to the importance of coffeehouses and periodicals in late 17th c./early 18th c. English culture. But nothing in the classroom could have brought that world alive for me and my students as did Matthew and Unreal City's two actors. We all benefitted enormously.

July 2013

Dr Perry GauciHistory Tutor and Lecturer, Lincoln College.

You are really bringing Old London to life with the latest research to boot! Well done indeed!

This tour is not just about coffee but gives a very vivid and fascinating account of 18th Century London life. Dr. Matthew Green is an expert in the period and not the boffin you might expect but a very entertaining, charismatic tour guide. There is a strong performance art element to the tour with actors, musicians and other odd balls showing up to partake. Visit the Tripadvisor page for the Coffeehouse Tour.

August 2012

Lucy InglisEditor, Georgian London

Great subject, great host, and something a little bit different from the usual City walking tours. Read Lucy's full blog post here.

February 2012

Anna LoderApple & Sage

Thank you for that tour. It was excellent and we all thought Dr Matthew Green, Mr Duncan Brown and the rest of the team were brilliant. Our teenage children all appeared engaged which is an achievement in itself.